The National tribune., 1887-11-03
CAPTURED LOCOMOTIVE.


The Body or John J. Andrews Rescued from an
Obscure Grave and TenderlJ Inferred ut Mission
Ridge.
EDITOR NATIONAL Tribune: The final
chapter in the events connected with the daring
CAPTURE OF LOCOMOTIVE
in Georgia in 1862, was written on Sunday af-
ternoon. Oct. 16, 1857, in the beautiful National
Cemetery on Mission Ridge, Tenn.
James j. Andrews, of Kentucky, whe was
the originator and leader in that wonderfully
daring exploit, was consigned by his captors
and executioners to n grave that they deter
mined should never be known to the side he
served, and for % years no trace of his resting
place could be found.
At last, in Atlanta, man was found who
had witnessed the hanging and burial of An
drews. A citizen of Atlanta, he had lived in
that city or its immediate vicinity, and at last
he gave information of and assisted in the
search for the grave, which had been carefully
leveled down.
The grave was found in what is now one of
the streets of Atlanta, but the Identification
was complete.
Andrews had been
GIVEN A FELoN's BURIAL;
the fatal moose still encircled the bones of the
neck, while to the skeleton, still remaining in
tact, there yet hung the chains in which the
brave prisoner had met his death. The grave
had been tempered with, and parts of the skel-
eton were gone, but what remained were care
fully gathered up, placed in n coffin, and sent
to Mission Ridge Post, No. 40, Grand Army of
the Republic, at Chattanooga, for appropriate
and honorable interment in the midst of his
dead comrades.
On the Sunday mentioned, about 100 COM
rades of Mission Ridge Post, probably the most
efficient in the entire South and in solemn col
umn, marched before the hearse to the ceme-
terry. On the soft Autumn air rolled out the
thrilling monotone of the mutfied drums, and
the steady tread of the bronzed veterans, with
their soldierly bearing, made touching trib-
ute to the valor of the departed hero.
The column passed slowly near the trenches
and earthworks where so many had suffered
and laid down their lives for the loyal cause,
and at o'clock reached the beautiful grounds
where repose 1900 of the soldiers of the Roll OF
Honor of the Union.
Under the trees around the open grave pre-
pared, stood fully 1900, desiring to pay their
tribute of respect to the wonderful courage of
the dead hero.
The comrades bore the precious dust rever-
emily to the side of the grave, and then gathered
in circle round il, their uniform of the Order
sadly reminding all of what the "blue meant.
The beautiful and touching burial service OF
the Grand Army Of the Republic was followed
as closely as might be ier one who was not a
cOnlTade of the Order, aud had noe even been
an enlisted soldier in the service.
An Grafton was delivered by Hon. A. III. Pet
tibone, ex-Rcpresentative in Congress. Ia COM
rade and Past Commander of Burnside Post,
No. 8, of Knoxvillc,) and then a requiem ar
ranged for this occasion by Comrade J. G. o.
Redington, of Veteran Post, No. 1876, New York
city, was sung.
The requiem was followed by the delivery
by Comrade Rcdington of an original poem of
great force on the subject of the wonderfully
thrilling adventure that led to the death Of
Andrews.
Commander Wood then gave the touching
address of the burial service, while Officer of
the Day Eugene Balch deposited upon the cof-
fin wreath of evergreen, the symbol of un-
dying love for comrades of the war-a last
token of affection.
Acting Chaplain c. w. Norwook (who
specially arranged the beautiful services for the
occasion) eloquently conducted the final cere-
mony of seputure. and Comrade Rev. J. w.
Trimble delivered the closing prayer.
There never was more touching burial OF q
patriot than this, where one more grave was
added TO the Il 900 other patriots who also laid
down their lives for the Union.
The burial of John ]. Andrews completes
here the band OF the eight Ohio men engaged
in the Capture Of a Locomotive, who were hung
for that adventure.-COMRADE, Chattanooga,
Tenn.